A COUNCIL chief has written to internet giant Google to demand reassurances over its controversial new Street View service.

Google is currently recording images of Teesside to add to its increasing catalogue of street-level photographs of UK towns and cities, as reported earlier.

Street View provides online users with 360-degree views of homes, roads and cars, via a collection of still images - it is not a video.

Recently one of Google’s camera-cars travelled around Teesside towns, including Middlesbrough.

Dozens of people have since complained about the site, claiming it breaches privacy and may even become a tool for burglars.

However many others believe it offers as valuable service, enabling online users to check out properties for sale, restaurants, hotels, and also steer a course around an unfamiliar place before you get there.

Many of those responses came via a survey on gazettelive.co.uk, the results of which were published in Monday’s paper.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, Middlesbrough Council executive member for community protection, has now fired off a letter to Google expressing “anxieties and concerns” over its photographic activities.

And, he’s demanding Google bosses state what they intend to do about those who do not wish images of their houses to appear on the site.

Cllr Coppinger said: “When the original inquiry came into the council we understood a number of residents complained to the Gazette.

“I thought it would be appropriate to clarify what Google intended to do and what steps residents can take.

“It is obviously a matter that will need clarification.”

Cllr Coppinger said some residents fear Google Street View will leave their homes vulnerable to burglars.

“I’m not sure what’s being planned for Middlesbrough,” he said.

“The cars have been driving up and down the streets filming.

“I’m assuming they are just filming the front of properties. Ultimately what we are asking for is some reassurance from Google.”

Laura Scott, spokeswoman for Google, said it was easy to remove images from Street View.

“If a user finds an image that they consider objectionable they can report it by clicking ‘report a concern’ in the bottom left hand corner of the Street View image,” she said.

“Here there is an easily accessible link to report inappropriate imagery.

“Once the claim is verified, the image is removed.”

She added that for the vast majority of people Street View is a very useful tool, allowing users to plan the location of a meeting, a restaurant venue or the best viewing spot for a marathon or parade.

Earlier this month residents in Broughton, in Buckinghamshire, formed a human chain to block a Google car from entering their village. However taking pictures from a public road or footpath is not illegal in the UK.

The leading privacy protection campaign group, Privacy International, lodged a formal complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office last month.

But the ICO said it was satisfied that Google was not breaching privacy laws.